Mike Struwin + Blake Elliot

 
9:00 pm

February 23, 2019

Local legend, Mike Struwin returns to The Livery with Blake Elliot, for an intimate evening of collaborations, storytelling, and celebration! (You may remember Blake from her performance at The Livery in 2014, as part of the “Girls with Guitars” Tour with The Accidentals!)

9PM show – “Pay What You Want!”

Mike Struwin

Incorporating a myriad of genres, including Alt-Country/Blues & Bluegrass/Roots/Folk/Soul and even Reggae, this Michigan born artist has forged a truly unique style all his own.

Growing up in a small beach town, Mike Struwin began his musical photosynthesis at the age of thirteen, with the piano. Soon after, he entwined his fingers around his first guitar and found his passion to be laced within its six strings. A prolific and gifted songwriter from early on, Mike’s first CD was composed and released by the age of seventeen with his first (High School) band Steamboat Willie. The infectious ballads found fertile ground in the ears of his native Michigan and with support from a cadre of talented musicians along the way, Mike has penned and released multiple albums including; “Out of the Blue (2002), Roots Down (2005), Storyline (2008) and Forgotten Hymns (2010 ) all under his own name.  World-class musicianship, songwriting and Struwin’s strong, reedy tenor, combined with his stark brand of Americana (tinged with subtle echoes of reggae and soul) earned “Roots Down” national acclaim, which led to soundtrack placement in the independent features Beautiful (2006, Imagine Afrika Productions) and Gringo Wedding (2006, Stepping Stone Productions).

Along with music composition and recording, Struwin has a deep fondness for performing live, and considers playing venues across the country both a primary goal for, and a benefit of, his musical career.  He has toured throughout the middle of the continent, from Michigan to Colorado, and earned himself the title of “Kalamazoo Acoustic Idol” in 2004. During that time, he shared the stage with musical majors, Greensky Bluegrass, The Wailers, Robert Bradley’s Black Water Surprise and members of Umphrey’s Mcgee and The David Crosby Band.

Mike has recently added “Published Author” to his list of accomplishments with his debut release of the children’s book Campfire Stu & The Backwoods Jamboree (2017), accompanied by an all original collection of kids songs on CD.

Blake Elliot 

Blake Elliott’s signature style is as universal as the types of music she creates. Her writing spans a wide range of genres, covering the scope from jazz to folk to soul and ensuring that even the most discriminating of listeners will enjoy watching her perform. With a vibrant personality that matches those bright red lips, Blake has made her mark on the Michigan music scene with a fervor that’s unceasing.

Wielding a guitar full of tunes and a voice full of soul, Blake has been honored to collaborate with and open for Michigan music giants that include but are not limited to: Seth Bernard & May Erlewine, The Crane Wives, The Ragbirds, The Accidentals, Billy Strings & Don Julin, Sixto ‘Sugar Man’ Rodriguez, Kenny Olson, Levi Britton, Soul Patch, Miriam Pico, and E Minor. Between hosting open mic nights in northern Michigan and playing shows across the Great Lakes State with her current project, Blake Elliott and The Robinson Affair, Blake has realized her lifelong dream that has been years in the making and will stop at nothing to showcase her love for her home state through her favorite form of artistic expression.